The opening of Highland Park Fitness, pictured above, and Powerhouse Nutrition earlier this year completed the redevelopment of the Klein Building in Highland Park. It joins Highland Underground and four residential tenants who call the former department store home. Photos submitted by Jeremy Toland
The redevelopment of the historic Klein Building in Highland Park is complete with its latest tenant now open for business.
Jeremy Toland opened Highland Park Fitness in February and Powerhouse Nutrition in March, joining Highland Underground and residential tenants as the occupants of space that once housed Klein Department Store.
Toland, president and field operations manager for JC Toland Painting, signed a lease for the entire first floor of the 120-year-old building last year. It marked the final lease signed to fill the building, which was redeveloped by Chloe and Tim Bratvold, operating as 36th on Sixth LLC. They purchased the building at 3614 Sixth Ave., in 2022 for $400,000.
With Toland’s businesses and the 1970s department store-themed bar Highland Underground now open, as well as the four second-story apartments rented, the building is full.
Toland said he was drawn to the location because he grew up in the neighborhood and has seen the revitalization that has occurred in Highland Park in recent years.
“My first thought was just opening a gym, that was my intent, but then the nutrition shop idea came to me and I thought it was a great idea to bring a nutrition shop attached to the gym,” he said. “I thought they would go well together.”
So far, Toland said, the response from the community has exceeded his expectations.
“The feedback has been great,” he said. “We’re adding members each week, so it’s just increasing and getting better each week.”
Toland said it was important to him to do something for the neighborhood where he grew up.
“It means a lot to me to bring something to the neighborhood that they didn’t have before,” he said. “To see what’s been happening in Highland Park over the past few years, all the new businesses that have been added to the area, my mom still lives in the neighborhood, I’m excited to be part of it.”